Pakistan’s growing relations with Russia mirrors its long-standing relationship with China. It balances diplomatic, military and economic support, while maintaining key Western relationships.
(Ramil Stidikov/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images) On October 13, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin (L), walks with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Shaif at the Sixth Summit of Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures (CICA) held in Astana (Kazakhstan). (Ramil Stidikov/SPUTNIK/AFP through Getty Images).
Imran Khan, the cricket star and former prime minister of Pakistan, visited Russia from February 23-24, 2022. This was the first time in more than two decades that a Pakistani leader had visited Russia. On the second day, Russia invaded Ukraine.
Some political analysts believed that Khan’s trip was just another impulsive decision, made without consulting policymakers with experience. Two and a half year and two prime minsters later, Pakistani-Russian relations continue to grow.
In September, Russian Vice Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk made a visit to Pakistan. He met with Pakistani Premier Shehbaz Shariff and held a press conference together with Pakistani Foreign Ministry Mohammad Ishaq Dar. They announced their intentions to improve bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
Why is a developing South Asian nation so eager to rapprochement in a context when Russia is alienating itself from global community because of its war in Ukraine?
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